Japan is planning a new way for international anime and manga fans to learn Japanese by allowing them to practise conversations with characters from popular series. The government-backed initiative will use artificial intelligence to create an interactive language-learning experience, potentially making Japanese lessons more appealing to younger audiences overseas.
According to a November 9, 2026, report by The Japan Times, the Japan Foundation (JF) will develop the application following a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project has received budget approval for the next fiscal year and is expected to be completed by fiscal 2028.
Unlike traditional language-learning platforms, the proposed app will allow users to interact with familiar anime and manga characters while practising Japanese. The initiative also marks the Japan Foundation’s first use of AI in its language-learning services.
Japan Wants Anime Characters to Make Learning Japanese More Interactive
One of the biggest features of the proposed application will be its use of popular anime and manga characters as conversation partners. Previous language-learning applications developed by the Japan Foundation primarily relied on original characters because of copyright restrictions.
For this project, however, the foundation intends to negotiate with copyright holders to obtain permission to use established fictional characters. This could give international fans an opportunity to practise everyday Japanese through conversations with characters they already recognise.
The application will primarily target young people outside Japan who are interested in Japanese entertainment. By combining AI-powered conversations with anime and manga, the government hopes to make language education more accessible and engaging.
The project could also benefit regions where Japanese-language schools and qualified teachers are limited. Rather than establishing additional teaching facilities overseas, the application could provide a relatively affordable alternative for people interested in learning the language.
Anime and Manga Interest Drives Japanese Language Learning Worldwide
The government’s decision reflects the growing popularity of Japanese entertainment overseas. A 2024 survey by the Japan Foundation found that 61.3% of students at overseas Japanese-language education institutions cited anime, manga, J-pop, and Japanese fashion as their motivation for studying the language. The survey also recorded approximately 4 million Japanese-language learners worldwide, representing a 5.4% increase from 2021.
Japan already offers a learning platform called Japanese in Anime & Manga, which teaches expressions commonly used by fictional characters through audio, quizzes, and interactive lessons. The new application would take this approach further by introducing AI-powered conversations with licensed characters from popular franchises.
The initiative is also part of Japan’s broader effort to strengthen its cultural influence internationally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested ¥1.83 billion (approximately $11.6 million) for fiscal 2027 to support the overseas expansion of Japanese entertainment and other cultural content.
Other initiatives include supporting translators, establishing connections between Japanese content creators and international professionals, and promoting legitimate distribution channels to combat piracy.
The proposed AI language-learning app could therefore become another way for Japan to turn international interest in anime and manga into opportunities for cultural exchange and language education. However, the identities of the participating anime and manga characters have not yet been announced.
